POLITICS: Kerrys Cabinet Takes Shape

Rumors are beginning to float around Washington as to John Kerry's possible selections for his cabinet, should he win next weeks election. Some of
the possible choices include DE Sen. Joe Bidden for Sec. of State, and AZ Sen. John McCain for Sec. of Defense. Kerry is said to be intent on removing
Porter Goss as CIA Chief.

www.timesonline.co.uk
Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware has been asked by Mr Kerry to become Secretary of State in a Democratic administration, according to Kerry campaign
aides. Mr Biden, the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the past four years, ran for President in 1988. His campaign ended
abruptly when it was revealed that a key element of his stump speech had been lifted directly from Mr Kinnock’s general election speeches in 1987.

One puzzle for the Democratic team is the Pentagon. Mr Kerry is understood to want his friend John McCain, the Arizona senator, to be Defence
Secretary. But Mr McCain is believed to be reluctant. The confirmed maverick might fit uncomfortably even in his close friend’s administration. If the
Republicans keep control of the Senate, the Arizona senator will take the powerful job of chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Another possibility is Chuck Hagel, the Nebraska senator, also a Republican. Mr Kerry is said to be intent on removing Porter Goss, who was confirmed
as the head of the CIA only this month. A candidate to replace him is Bob Graham, the retiring Florida senator.

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Kerry's decision to begin selecting a cabinet at this point would seem to be a good move. However the choice of mostly senators would give a Kerry
administration the air of a group of theorist the spend more time discussing then doing.

Selecting a cabinet before the election may give him an advantage over Al Gore's chosen path in 2000. By acting like a President Elect in the case of
another disputed election, he may be able to sway political opinion to see him as the real victor.

Originally posted by phreak_of_nature
Selecting a cabinet before the election may give him an advantage over Al Gore's chosen path in 2000. By acting like a President Elect in the case of
another disputed election, he may be able to sway political opinion to see him as the real victor.

Not selecting a Cabinet before the election would be plain irresponsible. It is common sense and commonplace to PLAN AHEA
D.

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar
Not selecting a Cabinet before the election would be plain irresponsible. It is common sense and commonplace to PLAN AHEA
D.

*snicker*

True, true, but let's see if Kerry acts like the President Elect after the votes are counted. I think that's what killed Gore, he was spending more
time whining and litigating then planning for the transfer. On the other hand, W set up the transition team, and started drawing his cabinet around
him.

And he did it highly. Why would he do that? Goss had made no hiding of the fact that he was too partisan for the job.
McCain as S o D? Good call, let him get an honored role in policy making; someone needs to work hard in all facets of restoring dignity to all of the
executive branch, but particularly post Rumsfeld.

I like several of his choices, just not sure I like them for the positions he has proposed. I personally like Joe Biden. He has a no nonsense type
personality, and says what he thinks. I'm not sure that person is right for State Dept.

McCain's my BOY! But I don't see him as Sec of Defense. He seems more inclined towards social and policy issues then defense. Here's a wild idea,
why not Wes Clark as Sec of Defense? He was NATO Commander? He SHOULD know what he's doing, right?

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